Vestavia Hills’ Favorite Nail Spa Owner Looks Back on Nearly Two Decades of Business
In the heart of Vestavia Hills, Tu Le has become a familiar name to many in the community. The owner of Vestavia Nails & Spa, located at 2531 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 123, and VIP Nails & Spa, at 617 Montgomery Highway, has dedicated nearly 18 years to the nail salon business.
A Dream Realized
Tu Le and her husband were both working as nail technicians when they decided to take the leap into ownership back in 2007. “It was my husband’s dream to own a salon, and I wanted to support him,” she shared. “We were just dating then, pooled our money together, and started with a small salon.”
The couple eventually moved to their current, larger location in The Shops at Oak Park when the dance studio vacated the premises. “It felt like perfect timing,” Tu reflected. “We love the space—it’s 3,500 square feet—and when the pandemic hit, we were able to navigate the challenges safely. The situation made us really appreciate the distance we could provide.”
A Community Connection
Tu Le shared what she enjoys most about being in this line of work. “I love people and making them feel pretty,” she explained. “It can almost feel like therapy while I work on customers. When I get my hair done, I get a confidence boost, and I want my clients to experience that same feeling.”
In addition to nail services, Tu’s salons offer facials, waxing, and have recently introduced a new trending service called head spa, which is becoming popular across the internet. “There aren’t many places in town doing this,” she noted. “We’re just thrilled to provide these services in our space.”
A Local Resident
Living in Vestavia Hills gives Tu a strong connection to her community. “I’ve always tried to be involved,” she said, sharing that her son attends Pizitz Middle School and is an athlete with the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club. “I was a soccer mom and have even volunteered at my son’s school.”
Despite her busy schedule, she and her family make time for activities outside work. “We enjoy karaoke together, and that’s how my husband and I met,” Tu reminisced, laughing. “We have all the karaoke systems at the salon; it’s our little escape. It helps us relieve some stress from working long hours.”
From Vietnam to Alabama
Tu’s journey to America wasn’t typical. She moved here as an exchange student through a Lutheran missionary program. “They picked me and another girl. We traveled to Colorado, and then I got a full scholarship to Concordia College in Selma,” she explained. “I came from Vietnam and have always wanted to stay connected to my roots.”
“I keep going back to Vietnam because my parents are still there,” she said. “But I also loved my time in Europe when I visited. The diversity in culture is exciting. All those differences are something you don’t get to experience as much in America.”
Gratitude and Future Aspirations
As she looks back on her entrepreneurship, Tu expresses her appreciation for the support she has received over the years: “We’ve slowly grown our business, and people in the community have shown us so much love.”
With her son entering high school next year, Tu has her eyes set on both family and business growth. “Every day holds new adventures, and we’re excited to see what comes next,” she said with a smile. “But right now, we are just focused on making our clients feel their best.”
Tu Le remains a shining example of perseverance and dedication in Vestavia Hills and continues to uplift those around her through her work.
